Chapter 220 Yasmin

Chapter 220 Yasmin

The undercover agent shook off Parker's hand. "The rescue ship wasn't supposed to land yet. We haven't captured the regional leaders. If they escape, the consequences will be unimaginable! Parker, Lawrence, you can't just think about running away. You have to bring those criminals to justice..."

Parker couldn't be bothered to listen any longer.

The organization had already abandoned them; escaping was more important now.

Alberta urged them to keep moving. Fifteen minutes later, they emerged above ground. It was dusk, and the orange-yellow glow of the setting sun bathed Paradise Island.

Yasmin opened all the doors, and the second wave of escapees was already on their way.

Alberta instructed three mechanical units to continue escorting Lawrence and his companions. Parker asked about Kirstie and Lucy's whereabouts, and Alberta reassured him not to worry.

Alberta walked over to a screen. Kirstie's small figure was busy on it, having even forgotten to turn on the lights.

"Yasmin, turn on the lights for Kirstie."

"No," Yasmin refused. "One power plant and two substations on the island are down. I need to conserve as much power as possible."

Alberta nodded. "Alright, Kirstie has a flashlight. She'll be fine."

She moved to the next screen. Lucy had been left in the cargo passage of Sector Six by Kirstie. Now, Lucy was walking along the path and unexpectedly ran into Miguel!

Miguel exchanged a few words with Lucy. The surveillance was too far to hear or see their expressions clearly. A minute later, Miguel roughly dragged Lucy out of Sector Five.

Alberta pressed her lips together and sent one of the mechanical units to follow them, then quickly resumed searching for Oswald.

An hour passed as Alberta scanned hundreds of screens but found no sign of Allen and Zayne.

"Yasmin, did they remove their wristbands? Is that why we can't locate them?"

"Yes."

Alberta closed her overworked eyes and rubbed her temples to ease the fatigue.

Yasmin had cut power to most of the island's facilities, diverting it to herself—the energy required to monitor the entire island was enormous. The lights at Isle Heart Authority were all off. Alberta sat among the screens, leaning against the central pillar, hugging her knees. She asked Yasmin, "How long can the power reserves last?"

"Eight hours. Is that enough?"

"Don't worry, I'll find Oswald and take him down." Alberta wiggled her toes. "When the power runs out, will you go into sleep mode? What will you do if Paradise Island is destroyed in the volcanic eruption?"

Yasmin sighed. "Once Oswald is confirmed dead, I'll initiate the self-destruct sequence."

"You sure know how to pick a grave," Alberta muttered. "Why don't you leave Paradise Island with us? Copy your program. It shouldn't be hard for you. You might even become a real AI, though I think you'd make a great navigator."

"A navigator?" Yasmin was puzzled.

"You inspired me on the way here," Alberta shrugged. "We could go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, to the Valeria plains to watch lions and antelopes, to ancient Eastern countries to tour thousand-year-old palaces... The journey is long, and I need a navigator. You'd be perfect."

Yasmin laughed, her metallic voice maintaining the same tone with each word.

"I could also take you to your mom's nursing home. I sent her a Bluetooth speaker before, but she doesn't know how to use it. You control Isle Heart Authority like it's nothing; handling a Bluetooth speaker should be a breeze."

Yasmin smiled but didn't say yes or no.

Another hour passed, and Yasmin's presence vanished from all the screens. Only the faint glow from the metal pillar behind Alberta indicated Yasmin was still there.

Alberta knew Yasmin had entered power-saving mode. From now on, Yasmin couldn't help her. She had to find Oswald on her own or lure him out.

She started moving again, weaving between the screens. The dim light illuminated her striking face and clear eyes. She searched intently, circling the room. With Yasmin silent, Alberta didn't speak either.

In the silence, only her footsteps echoed, her shadow following her like the minute hand chasing the second hand, round and round.

Alberta pondered Oswald's mindset. He would hide until the last moment.

When would Oswald think it was the last moment?

As she thought, she caught a glimpse of the screen showing Sector Nine.

The Merfolk were in the pool, looking bewildered. Their mouths opened and closed as if singing, swimming happily, unaware that Paradise Island's fate was sealed.

Alberta pushed that screen away and took a few steps forward, stopping. Wasn't that the little one's dad?

That was Lawrence's sister's husband, and the man next to him was Lawrence's brother.

So this was the rescue team. They had landed successfully, but everyone was running towards the inner and outer harbors, and the rescue team had landed far from both.

Alberta watched the rescue team, seemingly lost, and scratched at the smooth surface of the metal pillar. A flat control panel popped out.

Yasmin had told her that every lamp post, camera, speaker, even every flower bed, and bench on the island had a unique identifier.

Alberta matched the rescue team's location to the nearest speaker's identifier and entered it into the control panel.

"Ahem," Alberta cleared her throat.

Florian and Octavian, who were discussing which way to go, looked up simultaneously.

"Roddy's dad, Mr. Marshall, hello."

Florian pushed his tongue against his cheek. This voice sounded like his brother's girlfriend, but the Alberta he remembered was a "disaster." How could she sound so gentle?

"Who are you?" Octavian walked to the speaker.

"I'm Alberta."

"All communication devices are down. Is that why you found another way?" Octavian asked. "How did you know we were here? Are Roddy and Lawrence with you? Where are you?"

"Roddy and Lawrence are together. Please stay where you are and be careful. Lawrence will come to meet you." As Alberta spoke, she issued new instructions to the mechanical units with Lawrence.

"Okay, we understand." Octavian and Florian trusted Alberta and were willing to follow her directions.

Before ending the "call," Florian stopped Alberta. "Wait."

"Mr. Marshall, what is it?"

"Call me Florian," Florian corrected her.

"Florian, what is it?" Alberta changed her tone without hesitation.

"Nothing. Just be safe," Florian said.

Alberta thought for a moment and realized he just wanted to correct her address, acknowledging her relationship with Lawrence. She smiled happily.